The owner of this spectacular property, just minutes from Cambridge – overlooking the blue waters of Lake Karapiro, says it’s a large home – coming in at 420sqm, and set on 1.3 hectares of land.
“Yet, with two of us living here, we still use most of it,” he says. He bought the elegant river lodge about eight years ago.
It has one of the widest frontages in the area – yet he explains that while the home was already impressive, it somehow felt oddly ‘unfinished’ at the time.
“So, I began making changes, which included making it considerably bigger,” he says. Amongst other features, another living room, a pool, as well as new verandas and courtyards were added.
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“The main house was originally four bedrooms, but we wanted our own, good-sized wardrobes – so we gave up one bedroom, which means we now we have two fantastic dressing rooms.”
20 Amber Lane in Karapiro, Waipa, has a 2019 RV of $2.3 million and is on the market for sale by a set date closing May 17. According to OneRoof data, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom property last changed hands in 2015 for $1.835m.
The listing agent says she hasn’t been able to find anything remotely comparable to 20 Amber Lane in Karapiro in terms of size, location and quality. Photo / Supplied
The property has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, garaging for three vehicles plus lots of off-street parking, a tennis court, swimming pool plus a two-bedroom cottage that all sit on 1.3 hectares of land. Photo / Supplied
Listing agent Suzanne Browne, of Ray White Remuera, says that in the course of her research, she hasn’t been able to find anything remotely comparable in terms of size, location and quality. “Thinking about Waikato, I simply don’t think it exists.”
Browne says 20 Amber Lane has yet more potential than has been recognised to date, adding: “A new owner could actually go into the attic to make more room and that would be especially good if they had older children, for example.”
The property has a home office, which the owner has found very useful.
“Working from home is great,” the owner says. “My neighbour commutes to Auckland every day on the Waikato Expressway which only takes an hour and a half, while another works from home, most days, but goes to the city once a week.”
The living areas in this impressive home are vast, and the kitchen is an epicurean delight, with a classic AGA cooker and super stylish black and white joinery and a pretty garden view that makes washing dishes a pleasure.
20 Amber Lane, which has a 2019 RV of $2.3m, overlooks Lake Karapiro. Photo / Supplied
The kitchen is an epicurean delight, with a classic AGA cooker and super stylish black and white joinery and a pretty garden view that makes washing dishes a pleasure. Photo / Supplied
The living areas flow beautifully to the many outdoor spaces and built-in furniture is sleek and elegant. There are a number of fireplaces for ambiance – supplemented by heat pumps for year-round comfort.
A tennis court for fitness enthusiasts and the owner says that he did most of the landscaping – which includes a raised vegetable garden, himself, adding that he’s especially proud of the soft green lawn. “I have two ride-on mowers, and then I decided to buy a robot, which is incredibly good, actually!”
In addition to the main house is a chic two-bedroom, self-contained cottage, which is great for guests but would also be suitable for paying visitors, maybe as an Airbnb.
The owner says that he’ll miss Cambridge, which has lovely shops and cafes, along with well-regarded St Peters School.
“It’s a really lovely community and there’s always something happening on Lake Karapiro – with rowing, of course, but also jet ski racing and power boats – once a year.”
He says that the view across the lake and beyond, is ever-changing regardless of the season.
